Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty

Purpose

In Mr Khan's practice, abdominoplasty is the second most common body reshaping procedure after liposuction. Patients asking for this procedure are generally females but it is not uncommon for men to request this procedure. Abdominoplasty benefits patients who have lost weight either through conservative measures (exercise or diet) or after gastric banding or similar procedures. The vast majority of patients are mothers, where after childbirth excess skin roll under the umbilicus has failed to respond to exercise or to other routine toning procedures and measures. Abdominal reshaping can be achieved using liposuction alone in selected cases where abdominal bulge is not associated with stretch marks or skin roll. In cases where the skin roll is present or where skin excess is associated with stretch marks, then skin removal is necessary with or without liposuction.

Procedure

Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure and involves extensive scarring that may extend from one hip to the other; depending on the amount of the skin excess and extent of the skin fold. Mr Khan performs all of his abdominoplasties using the famous Saldanha technique. Saldanha has revolutionised this procedure. This technique allows for the removal of unlimited fat and skin excess without endangering the viability of the skin or compromising the wound break down due to blood circulation.

Postoperative complications are significantly reduced when this technique is employed and combined with progressive tension sutures of Pollock and Pollock. These sutures have almost completely eliminated the risk of seromas after abdominoplasty procedure. Mr Khan has written about benefits of using the Saldanha Technique which has been published in the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal in the USA (see Mr Khan's Profile for more information). All of Mr Khan's patients are able to go home next day and drains are left for less than 24 hours. Skin bump at the end of scar (Dogear) is still a common occurrence and requires surgical removal under local anaesthetic, and is done free of charge at Re-Shape. Patients are treated as day cases, and can go home within hours after the surgery.

Results

Your stomach should appear flatter and your abdominal muscles should feel and look firmer as they may have been repaired.

Risks

General risks associated with any surgical procedure apply. The surgeon will discuss all associated risks with you in detail. It may be possible to achieve a flat stomach through healthy dieting and effective exercise. Indeed it is recommended that an abdominoplasty should be used to remove excess skin after dieting and exercise has achieved the right body shape underneath. A tummy tuck will not stop you gaining weight in the future.